I would run 89 mid-grade, not E85 for towing. E85 produces less hp and mileage than regular or midgrade, and the lower price doesn't offset the difference. Unloaded expect 20&#37; less mpg, I don't know about loaded.

E85 produces less hp and mileage than regular or midgrade, and the lower price doesn't offset the difference. Unloaded expect 20% less mpg, I don't know about loaded.

my wifes commander 4.7l V8 gets the same mileage on E85 as with 87.... i heard there was a big difference, too, but we've run 50+ tanks through it and the milage is the same (give or take a tenth or two)

my wifes commander 4.7l V8 gets the same mileage on E85 as with 87.... i heard there was a big difference, too, but we've run 50+ tanks through it and the milage is the same (give or take a tenth or two)

True story, same as a buddies E85 08 Silverado. It gets the same mileage between E85 and 87

it also isn't as efficient. I'd tow with real gas, not corn squeezin's

and for those of you that say you get the same with E85 as with 87, that may be possible, because i've heard rumors of stations selling E20 and not actually telling you. (which is illegal, kind of like the whole gallon vs slightly less)

I tow my jeep with my 02 1/2 ton burban and I use e85 whenever I get the chance. I can't notice any difference power wise. As for fuel mileage, I lose about 1-2mpg depending on the mix of city vs. highway.
There is an e85 station on the way to the wheelin spot so more times than not I run it.

Don't try this! We mean it. DO NOT TRY THIS! The American Coalition for Ethanol ran a 2000 Chevy Tahoe, not a flex-fuel vehicle, exclusively on E85 for 100,000 miles. Then they stripped down the engine and took a look. Everything looked fine. Fuel lines, fuel pumps, etc. In fact, they say a few things looked better than normal. The video includes a look at the parts of the engine from that Tahoe.

Again, DO NOT TRY THIS but car companies know they must comply with small percentage blends of ethanol. So most cars made since the early '90s can handle ethanol. The only problem is that non flex-fuel vehicles don't have the sensors necessary to detect ethanol content. They also don't have the control software to manage the air fuel mixture properly. So your car might run on E85, it just won't run well. It could also cause major damage and using E85 usually voids your warranty. So that's why you should not try it.

This leads to an interesting potential. What if a private or public group went to car manufacturers or did tests on their own to find out which cars could withstand E85? Then this was made available to the public. This would be great for the ethanol market. Many people think ethanol is bad because it's more polluting and less efficient. The creation of a mild or soft flex fuel standard won't make them happy.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 also recognizes E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline) as an alternative fuel. In order to operate on E85, vehicles need to be compatible with alcohol use. The conversion cost to make FFVs compatible with E85 typically includes upgrades to the fuel system components, the addition of a fuel sensor, and reprogramming the EPOM (computer chip) in the ECM/PCM (electronic control module/power train control module).

i am glad you asked becuz i was going to!! iwas wondering because the station by my house now sells e85 for $2.99 / gal. i was going to try running it in my 94 f250 wood hauler, i dont know though, it gets like 8 miles to the gallon if it would be worth it.

Yeah, I didn't know. Apparently it has been discussed before but I never saw it so when I saw that mudonthetires said he was running it in a 02 it made wonder so I asked. Oh well. I saw that at the station you must be talking about. Got diesel there for $3.96 the other day.